Lord of the Flies: Key Characters, Themes, and Symbols

What event leads to the boys being stranded on the island?

A plane crash occurs, leaving no adults surviving.

How do Ralph and Piggy initially gather the other boys?

They find a conch shell and use it to call a meeting.

Who is voted as chief during the first meeting?

Ralph is voted as chief.

What is Jack's role among the boys?

Jack is the choir leader and also wants to be in control.

What does the conch shell symbolize in the story?

The conch shell symbolizes leadership and order.

What theme is introduced in Chapter 1?

The theme of leadership.

What does Piggy represent in terms of leadership?

Piggy represents responsibility and rationality.

What is the significance of the fire in Chapter 2?

The fire symbolizes power and the potential for chaos as it gets out of control.

What does Ralph realize about the boys during the fire scene?

Ralph realizes that the boys are feeling awe at the power of the fire, which leads to savagery.

What is the main conflict between Ralph and Jack in Chapter 3?

Ralph wants to focus on building shelters, while Jack is obsessed with hunting pigs.

How does Jack's behavior change as he hunts?

Jack begins to exhibit savagery, drifting away from civilization.

What theme is highlighted by the boys' struggle to maintain order?

The theme of civilization vs. savagery.

What does Simon do when he walks off by himself?

Simon isolates himself, reflecting his introspective nature.

What does Piggy try to enforce among the boys?

Piggy tries to enforce the rules set by Ralph and Jack.

What does Ralph accuse the other boys of in Chapter 3?

Ralph accuses the boys of not working hard on the shelters as they agreed.

What does the 'beastie' represent in the boys' minds?

The 'beastie' represents their fears and the unknown.

What does Ralph's character reveal about leadership?

Ralph's character shows the challenges of maintaining authority and order.

How do the boys' nightmares contribute to the story?

The nightmares reflect their fear and the psychological impact of their isolation.

What does the quote about the 'quick, hard patter of hoofs' suggest about Jack?

It suggests Jack's growing obsession with hunting and savagery.

What does Ralph's focus on shelters indicate about his priorities?

Ralph prioritizes civilization and safety over hunting.

What is the significance of the quote about feeling compelled to hunt?

It highlights the internal struggle between civilization and primal instincts.

What theme is represented by Jack crawling on the ground while hunting?

Savagery.

How is Ralph's leadership perceived in this chapter?

He is losing respect as a leader.

What are the Littluns doing on the beach?

Playing.

What action do Roger and Maurice take that affects Percival?

They knock over sandcastles and get sand in Percival's eye.

What does Roger do while aiming to miss Henry?

He throws rocks at him.

Why does Jack paint his face?

To hunt easier.

What does Ralph see that causes him to panic?

Smoke on the water, presuming it's a ship.

What happens to the fire on the mountain?

It goes out.

How does Ralph react to Jack letting the fire go out?

He repeatedly expresses anger about it.

What significant event does Jack achieve in this chapter?

He kills a pig.

How does Jack react to killing the pig?

He is excited and talks about the blood from the kill.

What happens to Piggy during the argument with Jack?

Jack punches him in the stomach and slaps his head, breaking Piggy's glasses.

What is Ralph's reaction when they rebuild the fire?

He stays silent and refuses to move.

Who is Henry in the context of the Littluns?

The biggest of the Littluns, becoming a leader among them.

What does the theme of Order vs. Chaos illustrate in the chapter?

The group has fallen into a routine, indicating order.

How does Maurice's action towards Percival reflect civilization?

He feels bad for getting sand in Percival's eye, showing moral influence.

What does Roger's behavior signify about his moral state?

He is conflicted, throwing rocks but not hitting Henry.

What does Jack's laughter turning into a 'bloodthirsty snarl' signify?

His descent into savagery.

What does the rebuilt firewood pile symbolize?

The divide between Ralph and Jack.

How does Jack's behavior towards the pig reflect his leadership style?

He acts more like a dictator, demanding everyone eat the pig.

What feeling does the group experience when the fire goes out?

A sense of loss for their missed chance of escape.

What role does Piggy play among the Biguns?

He is seen as an outsider but finds his voice when it matters.

What does Ralph realize about himself while pacing on the beach?

He realizes how dirty he has become, which bothers him.

What new rule does Ralph establish during the meeting?

No one is allowed to make a fire separate from the one on the mountain that should always be burning.

What does Percival claim about the beast?

He says that it lives in the sea.

How does Jack respond to the rules during the meeting?

He tries to break the rules and insists there's no point in having them.

What does Ralph consider doing after the meeting?

He considers giving up being chief but is talked out of it by Piggy and Simon.

What character development does Ralph undergo in this chapter?

He matures quickly and uses good leadership skills, representing Civilization.

How does Jack's perspective differ from Ralph's regarding the rules?

Jack doesn't see the point of the rules and just wants to hunt, representing Savagery.

What role does Piggy play in this chapter?

He finds his voice and tries to give Ralph advice on how to be chief.

What does Simon represent when he speaks truths in the story?

He represents insights that align with the themes of the story, suggesting that the beast may be within them.

What theme is illustrated by Ralph's self-reflection on his appearance?

The theme of Civilization vs Savagery, as Ralph is bothered by how messy and untamed he has become.

What argument do Ralph and Jack have during the meeting?

Ralph argues that the rules are all they have, while Jack argues that there's no point in having them.

What does Ralph identify as the number one thing separating the boys?

Fear.

What emotional state does Percival exhibit during the meeting?

He is crying from fear.

What philosophical question does the quote about faces raise?

It questions the nature of identity and perception: 'If faces were different when lit from above or below, what was a face?'

What disturbing chant do the boys use when they kill the pig?

'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.'

How do the Littluns view the Biguns?

They look up to them because they are older and view them as authority figures.

What impact does the separation into 'littluns' and 'biguns' have on the group dynamics?

It may fuel the power-hungry mindset of the older kids.

What does the long hair and face painting of the boys signify?

It leans towards savagery.

What does Ralph's leadership style emphasize in this chapter?

It emphasizes the importance of rules and order.

What does Simon suggest about the beast?

He suggests that 'Maybe it's only us,' implying that the beast is a manifestation of their inner savagery.

How does the chapter illustrate the theme of loss of identity?

Ralph's reflection on his untamed appearance shows a struggle with maintaining his civilized identity.

What does the Conch symbolize in 'Lord of the Flies'?

It represents leadership, but Jack's disregard for it shows the crumbling of their government system.

What does the Beast symbolize according to the notes?

It represents the fear of themselves.

What realization does Ralph come to about leadership?

He starts to understand the unpredictability and burden that comes with being a leader.

What important question does Ralph ponder regarding identity?

'If faces were different when lit from above or below, what was a face? What was anything?'

What does Ralph suggest about Piggy's role in leadership?

Ralph thinks Piggy should be his advisor because he is good at thinking through problems.

What event leads to the boys believing they have seen the beast?

Sam and Eric find a dead pilot and mistakenly think it is the beast.

What is Jack's attitude towards the Conch in Chapter 6?

Jack insists they don't need the Conch anymore, indicating a shift towards dictatorship.

What theme is highlighted by Jack's desire to control the conversation?

The theme of Leadership vs Dictatorship.

How does Ralph's authority change throughout the book?

Ralph increasingly uses his authority to get things done, contrasting with his earlier hesitance.

What does Ralph think about when he is hunting?

He reflects on childhood memories while feeling excitement from wounding a boar.

What ritual do the boys engage in after hunting?

They surround Robert and act like they are hunting him, using chants from their first pig kill.

What does Ralph's injury from the boar signify?

It signifies his growing involvement in the primal aspects of hunting and violence.

What does the phrase 'maybe it's only us' suggest about the nature of the beast?

It suggests that the real beast may be the darkness within themselves.

What does Ralph question about their actions regarding hunting?

He questions whether they are humans or savages and what grownups would think of their behavior.

What does Ralph's concern about smoke indicate?

It indicates his awareness of the need for rescue and the importance of maintaining the signal fire.

What does Simon's assurance to Ralph reveal about their relationship?

It shows Simon's faith in Ralph, contrasting with Ralph's growing doubt.

What do the boys plan to improve after their hunting ritual?

They plan to make the ritual better with a real pig, fire, and drums.

What does Ralph's excitement from wounding the boar reveal about his character?

It reveals his struggle with the allure of power and violence.

How does the boys' behavior change as they hunt?

They become more primal and ritualistic, losing their civilized demeanor.

What does Jack's statement about who should speak reveal about his leadership style?

It reveals his authoritarian approach, prioritizing his voice over others.

What does the dead pilot symbolize in the context of the boys' fears?

It symbolizes the external fears that become intertwined with their internal fears.

What does Ralph's internal conflict about leadership suggest about his character development?

It suggests he is grappling with the responsibilities and challenges of leadership as the story progresses.

What does Jack claim to have seen on the top of the mountain?

Something 'bulge'.

How is Ralph's character changing throughout the story?

He is becoming more savage as he spends time with Jack and the hunters, while also improving his rational thinking.

What theme is represented by Ralph's concern about his appearance and dirtiness?

The theme of Civilization vs Savagery.

What does Ralph's excitement about wounding a boar signify?

It indicates that he is starting to enjoy hunting and embracing savagery.

What event illustrates Ralph and Jack's descent into savagery during their play?

When they pretend to hunt Robert, Ralph becomes aggressive and jabs at him with a spear.

What does the pig hunt symbolize in the story?

It represents the boys' movement towards savagery and away from civilization.

What is Ralph's internal conflict regarding his appearance?

He is torn between wanting to look civilized and accepting that being dirty has become normal for him.

What does Ralph discover about his feelings towards his dirty appearance?

He realizes that he has come to accept the dirty conditions as normal and does not mind them.

What does Ralph feel during the hunting play with Robert?

He feels a strong desire to squeeze and hurt, indicating a loss of innocence.

What significant action does Jack take during the meeting about the beast?

He tries to vote Ralph out as chief but fails to gain support.

What decision does Jack make after being humiliated in the meeting?

He decides to leave Ralph's group and form his own.

How does Piggy propose to solve the problem of the fire being inaccessible?

He suggests building a fire on the rocks.

What does Jack do after forming his own group?

He hunts a pig and cuts off its head as a gift for the beast.

What does Simon name the pig's head, and what does it represent?

He names it the 'Lord of the Flies,' representing the manifestation of evil and savagery.